These are the 50 most powerful women in business. Michelle Patterson says women are leading the economic turnaround. Suzie Humphreys just loves to do payroll! Mark Cuban explains how to make $2.3 billion: “Either you know your business inside and out or you don’t. Either you’re willing to do whatever it takes to win or you won’t. Very simple.” Here are 27 everyday ways to get inspired. Here’s how to tell if you are a micro-manager. Jacquelyn Smith suggests some things you should do on your lunch break every day, including: “Eat. Don’t try to be a hero and starve yourself for the sake of being a hard worker or checking off another ‘to-do’ item.” Brett and Kate McKay offer advice on getting your kids to do their chores. The Exotic Entrepreneur says there are three steps to expanding your business online. Randall King believes every entrepreneur should read these three Kindle books. Michael Hartzell lists three ways to establish a good reputation, including: “Keep informed about fund-raisers and other events in your area and find ways to get involved. … Not only will you be embracing the needs of your neighborhood but it is a great networking opportunity.”

Here’s what it’s like when two people are dating and start a company together. Ryan Matthew Pierson offers his thoughts on why start-ups fail. Anna Farmery has five tips for developing your freelance career. This is an investor’s-eye view of the Chicago start-up scene. Philip Campbell says beware the phrase, “Cash is a little tight now.” Caleb Wojcik says getting personal finances in order is the not-so-sexy step that every profitable entrepreneur must take: “The reason that entrepreneurs need to have their personal finances in order before they start taking risks is the freedom and flexibility it offers.” The mobile payment company Square is now worth more than $3 billion. This interactive graphic will help you understand how different financing strategies will affect you and your investors over time. Warren Berger reveals the secret phrase innovators use. Here are two important questions to answer before you invest in a small business. Is “Shark Tank” a good deal?

Alyson Stanfield gives advice for promoting events six months out. Susan Ward thinks Halloween could be a really sweet business opportunity: “Large parties with participants wearing elaborate costumes are becoming increasingly popular — excellent news for people looking for niche business opportunities.” Here’s an interesting case study on how a high-end closet company segments its customers. Here are three reasons successful business owners still rely on print materials. This sentence will blow your mind. Hootsuite’s Ryan Holmes explains how to build a recognizable brand. Is this the sexiest, coolest, most epic bus commercial ever?

‏@charlesarthur: Which statistics package do pirates use to count their treasure? R.

The Week’s Best

Erica Douglass writes about why 99 percent of entrepreneurs don’t make it: “I often hear teachers, coaches and even bloggers describe this as a ‘passion.’ ‘You have to find what you’re passionate about and then do that,’ they say. And to that, I say: Hogwash. You don’t need to go on a mission and find your passion to start a business. You just have to throw away much of your guilt and self-doubt … and own the fact that you were put on this planet to do this very thing that you’re doing right now.”

This Week’s Question: Do you understand how the health care overhaul will affect your business?

Gene Marks owns the Marks Group, a Bala Cynwyd, Pa., consulting firm that helps clients with customer relationship management. You can follow him on Twitter.

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You're the Boss offers an insider's perspective on small-business ownership. It gives business owners a place where they can compare notes, ask questions, get advice, and learn from one another's mistakes. The blog also offers analysis of policy issues, and suggests investing tips.